Photographic developing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Developing apparatus for the rapid development of photographic silver halide elements, e.g., sheets or plates, having a series of spaced solution-applying plates having (1) a plurality of spaced slots of small cross-section for supplying photographic treating solutions to the surface of the applying plates and to a single surface of the photographic elements passed across the applying plates, and (2) a collection and storage tray for receiving excess solution flowing over the edges of the plates. Between the applying plates are pressure or squeegee rolls for removing expended solutions, drip pans for the solutions, cover plates extending over the applying plates and flexible sealing strips at the entrance and exit lips of the cover plates, which strips are adapted to press against the back surface of the photographic elements. Metering weirs control the rate at which treating solution is expended. The apparatus can have a selfthreading drying chamber adjacent the final solution applying plate.

111111 60 ;.st tes Patent 5955 14 1 Nov. 27, 1973 PHOTOGRAPHVICDEVELOPING APPARATUS r [75] Inventor: Robe rtH'aun Beck, Fair Haven,

NJ. i

[63] Continuation of $61. NO. 79,214,661. 8, 1970,

abandoned, Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 886,618, Dec. 19, 19 69, Pathlo. 3,635,144.,

Primary Examiner-Richard'M. Sheer Attrney-WilkinE. Thomas, Jr,

. ABSTRACT Developing apparatus for the rapid development ofphotographic silver halide elements, e.g., sheets or plates, having aseries of spacedsolution-applying plates having (1) a plurality ofspaced slots of small cross-section for supplying'photographic treatingsolutions to the surface of the applying plates and to a single surfaceof the photographic elements passed across j 'theapplying plates', and(-2) a collection and storage tray for receiving excess solution flowingover the edges of the plates. Between the applying plates are pressurefor squeegee rolls for removing expended solutions, drip pans for thesolutions, cover platesextending over the applying plates and flexiblesealing strips at the entrance and exit lips of the coverplates,

which strips are adapted to press against the back surface of thephotographic elements. Metering weirs control the rate atwhich treatingsolution is expended. The apparatus can have a self-threading dryingchamber adjacent the final solution applying plate. I

Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 52 u.s. c1. 95 8911, 95/94 R 151 1111. C1.G03d'1/02 [58 Field of $60 11 /819, 94

[56] I. 3 References i i UNITEDSTATES PATENTS g 3,060,829 10/1962Leighton et a1.....--.....' 95/89R 3,067,758 12/1962 Hemh 95/94X3,095,798 7/1963 1 611 95 94 3,115,079 12/1963 Saffian 95/89R 3,277,81010/1966 Hersh. 95/94 3,344,729 4 10/1967 Kitrosser... 95/89R 3,405,62610/1968 Fleisher e: a] 95/94 R 3,413,904 12/1968 Friedel 95/94 x r3,545,364 12/1970 Reedy et 95/89R SPENT 232 NEW;

,SOLUTION PATENTEDuuv27 nan SHEET 10F 4 zESSw ATTORNEY PAIENTEDHUVZYIQISA I 3.774.521

snmunF a I MAINSWITCH m DEVELOPER CIRCULATING PUMP TREATING SOLUTION mCIRCULATING PUMP A VENTI LATING FAN NEW DEVELOPER m SOLUTION PUMP UINVENTOR m ROBERT HAUN BECK ATTORNEY cation.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS cRoss REFERENCE To REEATEDAPFLICATIQNThis application is a continuation of US. Patent ap plication Ser. No.79,214 riled on, Oct. 8, 1970, now abandoned, and is acontinuation-in-part of Assignees posed photographic films and papers.They differ widely in constructiorn'Many have developing, fixing,and-washing tanks.

Pask, US. Pat. No. 2,419,853,.Apr. 29, 1947, discloses such an apparatusfor applying developing solution to a moving film, the solution-applyingplate has a plurality of perforations tion to the film.

The fixed blocks over the film prevent observation fices located at thelevelof said plate and in said path for receiving such photographicfilm, and'flexible sealing strips attached to said container at theentrance and exit orifices to prevent oxidation of the treating solutionand to facilitate self-threading of the photographic element through theapparatus.

The sealing strip of the exit end of the tray may coact with a weir onthe lip of the tray.

There may also be provided: tanks for the treating solution; means 'forrecirculating the treating solution from the storage tray to thesupplying slots; solutioncontrolling means, comprising metering w'eirscoacting with exit sealing strips to control the rate of removal ofexpanded, solution, solution level sensors (not shown) in the collectionand storage t'ray;,and gravity or pump means foradding new solution. Thesolution received in the drip pans can, if desired, be recirculated tothe for applying processing soluand ready access to the film duringdevelopment and there are no sealingstrips and no slitsin the solutionapplying plate as 1 ;Wright, US. Pat. No. 3,027,821, Apr. 3, .1962,discloses a developing apparatus having a developer applying plate witha narrow central slit for feeding solution to the surfaceof the plate. I

Joggling means is required to maintain a smooth flow to the plates andthere are no sealing strips as in the photographic apparatus of thepresent application. I Wright, U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,846, July 6,l965,.discloses sucy' an apparatus'h'aving inlet slots in the'soluin theapparatus of the present appli solution-applying plates. The transportand solutionremoving means may be pressure rollers disposed be tweeneach solution-applying unit through which the photographic elementpassesBeneath the rollers are drip'pans for receiving excess solution.As any treated elements pass from the final treating solution andpressure rollers, they can passinto aself-threading dryer through whichheated airflows or is applied by means of a fie- RiEF'D scRmnoNOIF'THEDRAIWINGS" FIG. 1 is an elevation with tographic treatingapparatu n r FIG. -2 is a elevation of a pair of solution-applyingplates showing collection ancl storage trays, solution tion applyingplate. There are 'no'sealing strips and there is no reservoir formaintaining a smooth flow of solution to the plates. v i

I SUMMARY OF lNvENTio The photographic treating apparatus of thisinvention comprises a series of spaced, separate, treatingsolution-applying units and means positioned between thesolution-applying units for transporting a photographic element alongapath extending through the units and for removing excess treatingsolution from such photographic elements, eachsolution applying unithaving:

l. solutione'applying means positioned below said path for applyingtreating solution to only the surface of such photographicelement-adjacent said solutionapplying means, said solution-applyingmeans consisting solely of a single'horizontal solution-applying plate,

with a plurality of spaced slots of small cross sections,

positioned below said path;

' 2. meansfor supplying treating solution to the upper surface of saidplate with a force sufficient to support 1 the photographic'element oversaid plate and toallow the treating solution to be applied-t0 only thesurface of such photographic element adjacent said plate; and

3. a sealed collection and storage container containing said plate andcomprising a tray disposed beneath said plate for receiving excesstreating solution flowing over the edges of said plate, and a coverdisposed above said, plate, said container having entrance and exitoricuit for theapparatus.

tanks, pump, trays, and a recovery tank.

'ElG. 3 is a plan view of the upper sectionof a solution-applying platewith the reservoir supplying inlet in dashed outline. I v

FIG. 4'is an elevationof a portion of the cover plateands'olution-applying plates and associated members.

FIG. ,5 is a section taken'along line 5-5 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a planview of an air flotation dryer plate. FIG. 7 is an end elevation of thedrying chamber with parts in section of the plenum chambers. FIG..8 is aschematic view of a suitable electrical cir- DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the drawings, wherein the samereference numerals are used throughout the several figures, theapparatus has a horizontal frame 1, with end I rails 2, side rails 3,crossbars 4 and a suitable angle iron or lengthwise bracket Sand legs 6.

Disposed in collection and storage trays, which are supported, e.g., bythe angle irons near their side edges, are solutiomapp'lying plates 7.These plates have an upper section 8 and a lower section 9. The uppersectionhas a plurality of spaced inclined slots 10 of small'cross-section. The lower section of the plate 7. has

formed in its upper surface a reservoir 11 with'an inlet 15 which can'becentrally disposed.

The apparatus is provided with collection and storage trays-30 whichhave a suitable outlet to which is at- .tached outlet pipe 31. Solutionpasses from the outlet through pump 32 and pipe 33 v which is connectedto inlet 15 in plate section 9.

A cover 21 (preferably transparent) for the solutionapplying unit has aslightly raised central portion, the

parts in section of the phoside edges 22 being flat (not shown) andresting on the surface edges of collection and storage tray 30. Thecover has a deflecting entrance lip to direct passage of photographicfilm over the surface of plate section 8. The rear portion of the coverhas a similar deflecting exit lip. Attached to the deflecting front andexit lips, respectively, are flexible sealing strips 25 and 25 Thesesealing strips extend across the entire width of the cover and sealtheentrance and exit from the trays 30 to prevent deteriorationof thetreating solution. The bottom parts of the sealing strips are free andincontact with the back surface of any photographic element W passingthrough the apparatus.

Metering weirs l2.are formed by ridged "plate'13 disposed on andfastened to the exit lip of the tray 30. The metering wier 12 area isdetermined by the geometry of the ridges 14. The weir area is calculatedto allow the expenditure of a predetermined, amount of solution adheringto the surface of the treated photographic element. Solution is expendedat a controlled ratedirectly proportional to the. surface area oftreated photographic element;

Motor M2 activates a pump like 32 for circulating a treatingsolution.

Motor M3 corresponds to driving motor 59 of FIG. 1. I e

Motor M4 (not shown in FIG. 1 drives a blower for supplying hot airthrough entrance'duct 45.

Motor M5 drives a suitable ventilating fan (not shown) "for passing airover the processing machine.

Motor M6activates a pump for supplying new developer solution.

Motor M7 activates a pump for supplying new treat ing solution. v

Each of the motors are activated by closing the main switch shown in thewiring diagram, except M6. The main switch also controls the current forthree heaters, one of which heats air that is introduced into dryer 41.

Motor M6 is controlled by the solution level sensor.

Additional heaters (not shown) for raising the tem perature of thedeveloping solution and the bleaching Asolution supply tank 37 isincommunication with the collection and storage-tray via tube 34 andpump 35., A solution level sensor (not shown) in the collection andstorage tray controls pump 35. When the solutionlevel falls below apredetermined level in the collection. and storage tray, the solutionlevel sensor starts pump 35 and new solution is supplied to the tray 30via tube 34. v 7

Between adjacent solution-applying plates are drip trays. 39 towhichthere are attached drain tubes 40 which transport solutionto adrain or receptacle 32.

At the end of the solution-applying section of the apparatus, there canbe disposed a drier-41 having an upper plenum chamber 42 provided withexit duct43. Lower plenumchamber 44 is below the upper chamber and anair inlet duct 45 is disposed below chamber 44.

solution, respectively, are activated by current con-- trolled bythegmain switch. By inserting'suitable ther mostats in the developer andbleaching solution, their respective temperatures can be controlled.

The operation of the apparatus is obvious from the ing solutioncirculating pumps begin to circulate the solutions through therespective solution-applying plates.

developer solution) applying unit are transport rollers and 50 whichcontact the photographic film and propel it forward. These transportrollers have shafts 52 on which are fixed suitable sprocket 53 which aredriven by chain 54 passing aroundsaid sprockets and around idlersprockets '55 and 56near the respective ends of the apparatus. The chainalso meshes with driving sprockets 57 on reducing gear 58 of drive motor59.

- The chain also meshes with and drives suitable sprocksolution, asshown in FIG. 2.

Simultaneously, air is supplied by means of a blowerto the dryer. Poweris simultaneously supplied to the heaters for the processing solutions.

The drive motor 59 starts the transport rolls and idler sprockets toturn in synchronism. The ventilating fan is activated byits motor andremoves heat from the'motors and the dryer.

Afterlstartup, when the solutions'and dryer are at a suitabletemperature,- the photographic film or paper W can be introduced intothe machine. If desired, electrical interlocks can be provided so as todelayoperation of the transport motor unitl'the temperatures are at thedesired degree.

Various parts of the apparatus can be made of stainless steel or othernon-corrosive metal alloy, or made of suitable resins or polymers, e.g.,phenol formaldehyde resins, polyethylene, etc., that are resistant toheat and chemicals.

5 the solution-applying plates can be vacuum molded from acrylic resinor other plastic material or sheets,

and reinforced, if necessary, to provide the desired risolution-applyingunits and means positioned between the solution-applying .units fortransporting a photographic element along a path extendingthrough theunits and forremoving excess treating solution from such photographicelements, each solution applying unit having: I r

a. solution-applying means positioned below said .path for applyingtreating solution to only the sur- 5 face of such photographic elementadjacent said solution-applying means, said. solution-applying meansconsisting solely of a single horizontal solution-applying plate, with aplurality of spaced slots of small cross sections, positioned below saidpath; means for supplying treating solution to the upper surface of saidplate 'with a force sufficient to support the photographic element oversaid plate and to allow the treating solution to be applied to only thesurface of such photographic element adjacent said plate; and I a sealedcollection and storage container containing said plate and comprising atray disposed beneath said plate for receiving excess treating solutionflowing over the edges of said plate, and a cover disposed above saidplate, said container having entrance and exity orifices located at thelevel of said plate and in said path for receiving such photographicfilm, and flexible sealing strips attached to said container at theentrance and exit orifices to prevent oxidation of the treating solutionand to facilitate self-threading of the photographic element through theapparatus. '2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sealingstrip at the exit orifice coacts with a weir on the lip of the tray. l

- '3. An apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the cove'ristransparent. I v v 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 having a tanktransport and solution-applying means comprise a plurality of pressurerollers between the solutionapplying units through which the elementpasses.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a drip pandisposed beneath the pressure rollers to receive excess solution.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 having a drying chamber adjacentthe final solution-applyingunit.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said drying chamber hasflotationdrier plates with a plurality of small orifices for drying air,such photographic elements being adapted to pass between the plateswhile being supported by the drying air.

1. An apparatus for treating a photographic element which comprises aseries of spaced, separate, treating solutionapplying units and meanspositioned between the solution-applying units for transporting aphotographic element along a path extending through the units and forremoving excess treating solution from such photographic elements, eachsolution applying unit having: a. solution-applying means positionedbelow said path for applying treating solution to only the surface ofsuch photographic element adjacent said solution-applying means, saidsolution-applying means consisting solely of a single horizontalsolution-applying plate, with a plurality of spaced slots of small crosssections, positioned below said path; b. means for supplying treatingsolution to the upper surface of said plate with a force sufficient tosupport the photographic element over said plate and to allow thetreating solution to be applied to only the surface of such photographicelement adjacent said plate; and c. a sealed collection and storagecontainer containing said plate and comprising a tray disposed beneathsaid plate for receiving excess treating solution flowing over the edgesof said plate, and a cover disposed above said plate, said containerhaving entrance and exity orifices located at the level of said plateand in said path for receiving such photographic film, and flexiblesealing strips attached to said container at the entrance and exitorifices to prevent oxidation of the treating solution and to facilitateselfthreading of the photographiC element through the apparatus.
 2. Anapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sealing strip at the exitorifice coacts with a weir on the lip of the tray.
 3. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the cover is transparent.
 4. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 having a tank for treating solution.
 5. Anapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slots pass through the plateat less than a 90* angle.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 which isprovided with means for recirculating solution in the tray to thesolution applying plate.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 whereinsaid transport and solution-applying means comprise a plurality ofpressure rollers between the solution-applying units through which theelement passes.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprisinga drip pan disposed beneath the pressure rollers to receive excesssolution.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1 having a drying chamberadjacent the final solution-applying unit.
 10. An apparatus according toclaim 9 wherein said drying chamber has flotation drier plates with aplurality of small orifices for drying air, such photographic elementsbeing adapted to pass between the plates while being supported by thedrying air.